SunZia Project Description Proposed 500kV transmission line with strategic interconnections for export to Western markets The SunZia transmission route will connect New Mexico with Arizona: ~ 350 miles Right-of-way applied for will permit up to two, 500kV (AC) lines Ultimate transfer capacity: 3,000 megawatts (MW)
Project Overview
SunZia Participants Project owner is SunZia Southwest, LLC (a Delaware LLC) Entities negotiating the SunZia Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) include: Utility companies Private development companies (like SWPG) Financial investors Target date to execute MOA: January 1, 2008
SWPG and MMR SWPG is… SWPG’s owner, MMR, is… a privately owned project development firm, based in Phoenix, active in the Southwest since 1999 a developer of generation facilities, including 2,360 MW Panda Gila River Project; 1,000 MW Bowie Power Station a WECC member SWPG’s owner, MMR, is… a privately owned construction services firm, based in Baton Rouge, LA, with annual sales of $300 million experienced in the development and construction of power generation facilities of over 20,000 MW in 31 states and 4 continents
Interstate Transmission RETA coordinates with Regional Transmission Initiatives to “…plan…and negotiate with entities within and outside the state for the establishment of interstate transmission corridors.” Arizona Renewable Energy Standard of 2006: Regulated electric utilities must provide 15% of total megawatts sold from renewable resources by 2025 (RES Rules: A.A.C. R14-2-1801) SunZia will deliver power generated by renewable resources to Western markets
Project Activities Conducted feasibility studies Studied power-flow interconnections/potential impacts Product of past Southwest Area Transmission (SWAT) planning Performed preliminary route screening Developed regulatory support Conducted Open Season for participation Initiated WECC project rating process
Project Activities Continued meetings with… Governor Richardson’s staff, Public Regulation Commission, EMNRD, and NM Congressional delegation Governor Napolitano’s staff, Corporation Commission, Chair of Transmission Line Siting Committee, and AZ Congressional delegation SWAT and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Bureau of Land Management – NM and AZ
Preliminary Route Screening Identified potential collector points for wind and solar energy resources Identified study area/corridor primarily in southwestern NM and southeastern AZ Inventoried regional environmental resources Identified potential transmission line routes
Access to Renewables
Project Schedule Estimated Project Completion Dates: Phase 0 – Development Agreement Initiate 06/2006 Complete 12/2007 Phase 1 – Siting and Permitting Initiate 01/2008 Complete 12/2011 Phase 2 – Design and Construction Initiate 07/2009 Complete 12/2012
Milestones Initiated Development Agreement – March 2007 Established project company: SunZia Southwest, LLC and project management roles Developed budget and schedule Drafted Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Execute Development Agreement – January 2008 Initiate NEPA/Scoping Process – January 2008 Obtain Record of Decision, Right-of-Way Permits, and other permits – December 2011 In-service – December 2012
Opportunities for New Mexico Provides access to Western markets for renewables Provides points of connection for future RETA-supported collector transmission systems Improves reliability and power transfer throughout the Western Interconnect
Website www.SunZia.net
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Potential SunZia Corridors
Electric Load Areas in Arizona 8